Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo is a state located in the South East of Brazil. The State is the major industrial and economic powerhouse for the Brazilian economy. The city and state are named after St. Paul. Sao Paulo State has the largest population with the biggest industrial park and economic production within Brazil.

The capital city of Sao Paulo State is also named Sao Paulo, and is the largest city on the South American continent. Gastronomy and culture are main strengths of this state, which is nicknamed "the land of the drizzle".

A place called 'Barretos' hosts a huge number of visitors every year for the 'Festa do Peão de Boiadeiro', which is in effect a rodeo. Petar, Lagamar and Brotas are popular destinations for the eco-tourists and adventurers amongst us. Another popular place to visit during winter is 'Campos do Jordão', which gives Brazilians a 'taste' of a European type climate and provides them a good excuse to add to their wardrobe collections!

Sao Paulo State covers an area of approximately 248,800 km² (95,700 sq. miles), and has a population of around 40 million people, which makes it the most populous country subdivision in the Western Hemisphere.

Sao Paulo State's climate is tropical to subtropical, with altitude being the largest factor contributing to the State's climatic variations. Sao Paulo City, just outside the tropics in the south of the state and about 800 metres (2,600 feet) above sea level, has daily temperatures ranging between 19°C to 28°C (66°F to 82°F) respectively at the hottest time of year and between 12°C to 22°C (54°F to 72°F) respectively at the coolest time of year. Temperatures can reach around 33°C (91°F) on the hottest days of the year and fall as low as 5°C (41°F) on the coldest nights.

Sao Paulo is without doubt the richest state in Brazil. It has the second highest per-capita income and also has the highest standard of living in Brazil, even taking into consideration the poverty encountered in some of the areas immediately surrounding the large cities within the state itself.